Blog Tour: A Curse of Roses by Diana Pinguicha

A Curse of Roses

by Diana Pinguicha

Published by Entangled Teen

Publication Date: December 1st 2020

Rating: Enjoyed

To Buy :  Purchase links can be found HERE!

Synopsis: With just one touch, bread turns into roses. With just one bite, cheese turns into lilies.

There’s a famine plaguing the land, and Princess Yzabel is wasting food simply by trying to eat. Before she can even swallow, her magic—her curse—has turned her meal into a bouquet. She’s on the verge of starving, which only reminds her that the people of Portugal have been enduring the same pain.

If only it were possible to reverse her magic. Then she could turn flowers…into food.

Fatyan, a beautiful Enchanted Moura, is the only one who can help. But she is trapped by magical binds. She can teach Yzabel how to control her curse—if Yzabel sets her free with a kiss.

As the King of Portugal’s betrothed, Yzabel would be committing treason, but what good is a king if his country has starved to death?

With just one kiss, Fatyan is set free. And with just one kiss, Yzabel is yearning for more.

She’d sought out Fatyan to help her save the people. Now, loving her could mean Yzabel’s destruction.

Based on Portuguese legend, this #OwnVoices historical fantasy is an epic tale of mystery, magic, and making the impossible choice between love and duty…

 

My Thoughts

A curse of roses is an F/F own voices retelling of a Portuguese story ( Miracle of the roses). It's a Portuguese historical fantasy. It follows Yzabel of Aragon. She's something unique whenever Yzabel touched food it turns into flowers.  She takes it on her self to change this conduit to change flowers in to food. There a food scarcity in the land as a result of a famine .And as soon to be queen Yzabel sees it as her duty to help her people. But this action  as queen is not allowed  . With the help of Fatyan,  magical being freed with a kiss , Yzabel sets out to help her people to matter the cost

 

The line of turning food into flor is the reason I wanted it. I knew of the Midas touch but this was something  entirely new to me. And all the reviews online are correct this book deserves the love and praise. It needs more attention. I often start reviews with talking about the characters but i had to start with Pinguicha as a writer. Wow does she write pretty and beautiful like the flowers that Yzabel creates. The lush description of food and flowers. The feeling of the town when you read her words. Truly beautiful. This world has a soft magic system and it will please readers in search of that. What happens go with it! This book is for those want  reads that go slower, to see the characters  interact  and to spend time with the ladies. Both Yzabel and Fatyan are fully fleshed out , smart, interesting characters. Even though these CW- internalized homophobia

- religious-based self-harm

- religious and magic-based disordered eating

- the patriarchy

are seen and mentioned , this book has lightness at parts.  After requesting and reading the CW I was a bit scared cause I have religious- based discomfort , being such a household but I liked how she handled it and she did it well. 

 

 And if like animal companions , Yzabel's  Alentejo Mastiff is so cute. Google pictures right after if this breed is new to you, So cute. If you like soft , caring historical fantasy with two lovely ladies in love, I  highly suggest A curse of roses.

About the Author

Born in the sunny lands of Portugal, Diana is a Computer Engineer graduate who currently calls Lisbon home. She can usually be found writing, painting, devouring extraordinary quantities of books and video games, or walking around with her bearded dragon, Norberta. She also has two cats, Sushi and Jubas, who would never forgive her if she didn’t mention them.

Her art can be found at http://pinguicha.deviantart.com.

Also publishes under Diana Pinguicha Connors.

Website: http://pinguicha.wordpress.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/pinguicha

 

Blog Tour Organized By:

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Review: Suicide Watch by Kelley York

Suicide Watch
By Kelley York
Independently Published
Date of Publication: December 20th 2012
Source: Review copy
Rating: 3.8/5

AMAZON / GOODREADS

Synopis: 18-year-old Vincent Hazelwood has spent his entire life being shuffled from one foster home to the next. His grades sucked. Making friends? Out of the question thanks to his nervous breakdowns and unpredictable moods. Still, Vince thought when Maggie Atkins took him in, he might’ve finally found a place to get his life—and his issues—in order.
But then Maggie keels over from a heart attack. Vince is homeless, alone, and the inheritance money isn't going to last long. A year ago, Vince watched a girl leap to her death off a bridge, and now he's starting to think she had the right idea.
Vince stumbles across a website forum geared toward people considering suicide. There, he meets others with the same debate regarding the pros and cons of death: Casper, battling cancer, would rather off herself than slowly waste away. And there’s quiet, withdrawn Adam, who suspects if he died, his mom wouldn't even notice.
As they gravitate toward each other, Vince searches for a reason to live while coping without Maggie's guidance, coming to terms with Casper's imminent death, and falling in love with a boy who doesn't plan on sticking around

My thoughts

Expectations Her contemporary debut is one of my favorite books. Hushed was emotional, gritty and dark at times. From what I have read coming from her first book is that I can point out that there is a non-stereotypical lgbt main character present. And I’m expecting the same thing from Suicide Watch. A site tailored for possible suicide attempts is freaky.

Cover: The cover is very depressing but heck it’s a very depressing one at moments. The model is supposed to be Vincent. I like his curly hair (the goofiest grin). Hushed has a better cover than SW but for an indie published book it is still good

Book: Welcome to Suicide Watch. This site is not for the faint of heart. Only the serious need apply. Please think carefully prior to filling out the registration form and submitting.

The novel starts when a teen girl dressed in a plaid jacket and jeans jumps from Woodshire Bridge and he could do nothing to save her. That was last Christmas and its June at the moment. Vincent Hazelwood has just graduated from High school and tragedy strikes. He loses a ‘family relative’’ or the closest to family he has. His foster mother and Vincent needs to live on his own. All of this resulted in finding the site. On SW he meets Casper and Adam, all longing to end their live on earth for different reasons. They form a bond, a friendship centering on death. Grief, loyalty and love are encountered throughout SW.

The writing in Suicide Watch is bit different than in Hushed. The complete story takes place in 5 months time. It is from June to December. Only specific moments or days in Vinny’s life during those months are mentioned. Instant messages on SW and emails between the characters are added in the chapters. It is always nice to see current forms of communication in books. I wished that some parts and the relationships were fleshed out more. I could connect with Vincent but not that much with Casper and the romantic interest, Adam.

Now to write what my thoughts are about the characters and the romance. The main character is Vincent Hazelwood. He is mad at the world and thinks it is unfair what fate has done to him. Not that he will ever say it. He is very pessimistic or you could say a realist. You get to see how he feels and you get to know him little by little on this journey with him. The journey to being an adult even if the time span is on the short side. The reason why I was so connected with is that I’m also often mad at the world. Tragedies are everyday occurrences and are reported on the news, manmade or caused by nature. It hurts seeing or knowing that innocent people die. A part of that anger also stems from not being accepted by accepted because of your sexuality and being out ( I’m currently out but only to a few and sadly only a few of that bunch are accepting ) But the silver lining is that I have not been suicidal at all and other people have it far worse.

Casper is the best friend he meets on the deprave site. She has a sunny personality despite her dying slowly. She wants to commit the act in order of sparing her parents grief seeing her dying in front of their eyes. He and Casper form a strong bound that is believable.

Adam Rockswell is the romantic interest and the one I have connected the least with. It sometimes occurs that I have no strong connection to the love interest. They are just there to fall in love with the protagonist. I feel that is not the case with Adam. He is a kind, shy and not that outspoken young man. Character traits I also have but to a lesser extent. Except being kind, I am a very kind person. He was not just for falling in love with but needed for the novel. It is sad that I feel that I got to know him from afar.



There are adults presented but not in the forefront. Maybe because it could be categorized as New Adult (I’m still not a fan of the name).

The romance is where I had the most problems with. You get to feel that they like each other and are attracted to each other but they fell to fast. Maybe how it is written but it did not feel that believable whereas in Hushed although it was also a bit quick I loved the love between Calder and his dude. The romance needed some fleshing out it does not mean I didn’t like the lovey dovy scenes.

Vincent learns that life is hard but living with people you love and admire makes it so much better. And that relationships in life need to be cherished. If you want to read a story about the reason of suicide and what teenagers struggle with give Suicide watch a try. It does not glorify suicide and maybe it could save some one from committing the act It is not perfection but still a solid read.

Review: The Culling by Steven dos Santos

The Culling (The Torch Keeper #1)

by Steven Dos Santos

Published by Flux

Date of Publication:   March 8th 2013 by

Source: gifted

Rating: 4/5

AMAZON   // BOOKDEPO

Synopsis: Recruitment Day is here...if you fail, a loved one will die...
For Lucian “Lucky” Spark, Recruitment Day means the Establishment, a totalitarian government, will force him to become one of five Recruits competing to join the ruthless Imposer task force. Each Recruit participates in increasingly difficult and violent military training for a chance to advance to the next level. Those who fail must choose an “Incentive”—a family member—to be brutally killed. If Lucky fails, he’ll have to choose death for his only living relative: Cole, his four-year-old brother.
Lucky will do everything he can to keep his brother alive, even if it means sacrificing the lives of other Recruits’ loved ones. What Lucky isn’t prepared for is his undeniable attraction to the handsome, rebellious Digory Tycho. While Lucky and Digory train together, their relationship grows. But daring to care for another Recruit in a world where love is used as the ultimate weapon is extremely dangerous. As Lucky soon learns, the consequences can be deadly...

My thoughts

Expectations : I was in a dystopia and post-apocalyptic mood during a 2013 titles goodreads browse last year. And the mention of a LGTBQ relation and to be precise the G part of the acronym in the synopsis intrigued me . I have read some m/m fiction in 2012 but mostly in adult titles. That type of romantic relation is not that common in YA fiction. So I wondered if it would be as stereotypical as some YA titles that also highlight it.

Cover : The scene that the cover illustrates could be anywhere in the novel. But I think most likely during one of the trials. The dude on the cover is Lucian ‘’Lucky” Spark, the protagonist, the cover helped me paint a picture of him in my mind. The locator on wrist has a very important role during the trials. I love green, which I have mentioned at moments before and love the sickly greens used on the cover.

Book : There’s a city shrouded with smog and smoke. It’s called the parish. Workers slave away in the industrial borough. That powers the flickering gaslights. Most people don’t reach the age of forty and if they reach it, starvation or the Reaper’s cough struggle with each other to hand over that life to Mr. Death. The latter is caused by the smoke and stress in the factories and it has been rumored to be engineered by the Establishment. The Establishment, a big brother government in this novel, has the Recruitment day annually. Some ‘lucky ‘few get to be chosen, recruited to have a chance belonging to the elite military ops. Called The imposers or imps for short. 5 candidates are chosen in the recruitment. They face 2 months of excessive training before entering the trials. The recruit who places last after each trial will have to choose which incentive (the military term for loved one)will be murdered and if both incentives are expired, that recruit will be eliminated from continuing and immediately shipped off to work camps. This will go so forth till one recruit remains triumphant. This 16 year old fellow nicknamed Lucky is betrayed and accused of treason against the state. The only way to save his 4 year old brother is to win. Will he succeed?

When I read I try not to see similar storylines in books. Yes its sounds like THG at points. For example the recruitment day sounds as it was an adapted version of The Reaping. Some parts could be annoying to some readers if they don’t start with an open mind. This is not a rip off of The Hunger Games if you ask me but just a YA title with a totalitarian government with parts that seem similar to THG. This genre is crowed and of course you’ll find some similar plots or storylines along the way and it’s okay as long as they’re no copy cats. I have to admit the world building in THG was put together greatly and that’s where The Culling loses some points. The government and the world building were vague at parts. There are farms mentioned, are they outside the parish and I want to know the name of that region called. There are group of people that are miners and develop reaper’s cough when they’re older but it is mentioned that at age 16, the youth enters the normal military or the special ops. Lucians’ parents were miners and died of Reaper’s Cough. How does the Establishment get a hold of people to work in the mines or work camps? Let’s just say the new employees at the mines are former military personal, you have to replenish your livestock to do the manual labor because they die when they are a certain age from reaper’s cough. Can’t the former cadets fight back? Yes I have some problems with the word building but nothing other than that.

The negatives are out of the way, so let’s focus on the positives. The characters made The Culling what it is. A torture for the characters and the reader to experience scenes where their loved ones, are murdered. Whilst sending a message that love for the state is more important than loving people close to you. Getting attached to people is very dangerous because the Establishment will use it against you at any cost. Lucian and his fellow recruits, who he bonded and became close with, got to know. The manipulation and murders reminded me of high quality slasher movies. You are a very evil man Mr. Dos Santos for making me care about lucky’s competition.

You have to like the protagonist otherwise reading about him or her could be a chore. Lucian was very naïve at first but trough out the novel he became more level headed and I’m happy that he did not lose his kind heart. The remaining recruits are Digory, Gideon, Ophelia and Cyprus. Out of the remaining recruits, Cyprus tugged at my heart strings the most. She’s a female by the way and 17 or 18 with raven long hair. She came across as a bitch at times but if you read her back story and the situations she was thrust in you only feel sorry for her. She was hard like a rock but soft in side in the good meaning of the word. Another thing that I liked was the bond between the brothers. Lucky would do anything for his brother.

Hallelujah. Can I get an AMEN? The romantic angle was not forced, rushed or in your face. It was important to the story line but did not overpower it. And there was not a love triangle in sight but please don’t let there be one, it could be if you nudge it some. Digory and Lucian’s romance was slow building and I look forward seeing it grow more and more till it’s a crescendo in future books. There romance was handled Iike any other romantic love and not like HEY THIS IS A GAY LOVE.I read about 4 gay men in this book and none were stereotypical stick figure gay guys. Thank you Dos Santos. Digory was the kind next door type of guy. He has tawny wavy locks with blue eyes and 1 or 2 years older. Maybe in the next book some steamy kissing scenes. Poke, poke. (There aren’t any so far)

I whizzed through The Culling. There were some problems along the way and I hope that a love triangle will not be developed. I really want to know what happened to Digory. The ending was bitter sweet. I hope that there will be more details on the military, imposers, The Establishment and that thing that scares them. And more scenes with Lucky and Cole, his 4 year old brother would be lovely. Do want to read about loving someone and doing anything to save them. Even if it could mean sacrificing others loved ones. The bond between brothers and a slow building romance between two kind wonderful young men. Give The Culling a try.

Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
by Stephen Chbosky
Published by MTV Books and Pocket Books
Date published : February 1st 1999
Source: won
Rating : 4.3/5

AMAZON// BOOKDEPO

Synopsis:standing on the fringes of life offers a unique perspective…but there comes a time to see what it looks like from the dance floor. since its publication, stephen chbosky’s haunting debut novel has received critical acclaim, provoked discussion and debate, grown into a cult phenomenon with over a million copies in print, and inspired a major motion picture.


The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a story about what it’s like to travel that strange course through the uncharted territory of high school. the world of first dates, family dramas, and new friends. of sex, drugs, and the rocky horror picture show. of those wild and poignant roller-coaster days known as growing up

My thoughts:

Cover: the ‘’boring’’ cover makes it stand out in a sea of girls in pretty dresses. I’d rather have this . that’s just me

Book: A 15 year old kid will start his first year of high school . And is very nervous . He writes letters to an anonymous person. Charlie is socially akward. A loner and meets two wonderful people he befriends Sam and Patrick. A heck of a lot happens to summarize it .

I’ve read reviews and I believe some people will get bored reading it . Charlie s not a buccaneering pirate but a kind ‘’boring’’ 15 year old. Admit it our lives are not that interesting. I loved TPOBAW because it is filled with human emotions. There are a lot social issues. My only complaint is that there too much to fully develop in 200 pages. I could not fully connect with the side characters , mostly with the trio.
I can’t wait for the the movie

Review: Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

Darker Still (Magic Most Foul #1)
by Leanna Renee Hieber
Published by Sourcebooks Fire
Date publication:  November 8th 2011

Source: gifted by  joyousreads.com

Rating: 4/5

AMAZON // BOOKDEPO 

Synopsis: I was obsessed.
It was as if he called to me, demanding I reach out and touch the brushstrokes of color swirled onto the canvas. It was the most exquisite portrait I'd ever seen--everything about Lord Denbury was unbelievable...utterly breathtaking and eerily lifelike.
There was a reason for that. Because despite what everyone said, Denbury never had committed suicide. He was alive. Trapped within his golden frame.
I've crossed over into his world within the painting, and I've seen what dreams haunt him. They haunt me too. He and I are inextricably linked--bound together to watch the darkness seeping through the gas-lit cobblestone streets of Manhattan. Unless I can free him soon, things will only get Darker Still. 

My thoughts

Cover : It has a pretty girl in a dress cover. The cover shows what happens in this book and how she enters the painted portrait. A prison of someone she has come to love.

Book:

THIS JOURNAL IS THE SOLE PROPERTY OF:
MISS NATALIE STEWART
A GIFT TO MARK , HER EXIT FROM
THE CONNECTICUT ASYLUM

This story takes place in 1800 New York. Natalie is a young middle class lady. Mute but well educated and well spoken in her writing. The shock of her mother’s death caused her disability at the age of four. Through her father’s job at the metropolitan museum of art , Natalie comes in contact with a mesmerizing enchanting and cursed painting of Lord Denbury, a not so long ago English perished young man. ( Darker Still is influenced by the picture of Dorian gray but is not a copy cat and differs). She is his savior and help to break the hex. Natalie gradually falls in love or better said on him . ( ha ha book joke)Will Natalie succeed, will the evil forces, dark magic and demons prevail, will Dembury be freed? Read to find out !

Do you know the reading experience when immersing yourself in Dracula, Frankenstein or Jekyll and Hyde. Darker Still has a similar gritty gothic feel to it with splashes of austeny touches. I know I am giving high praise but the world building is that good. The dairy form it was written makes it stand out in the YA book crowd . It is written in 1800 eloquent fashion . Natalie could really have existed. So truly realistic and trough out the book I had to remind myself the experiences, the people are fictionalized. Ok maybe I’m exaggerating but the world building is really done well.

Characters

Natalie is a kind young lady. She comes up for herself though her writing and later on with something more she missed for a long time .S he is very brave in the midst of danger that’s induced by dark magic and demonic powers. She tries to save poor and homeless girls from slaughters.

Lord Denbury is a true gentleman. He is there for Nat and is protective over her but not overprotective and surely does not chain her up. He respects Natalie’s decision not like a well known and super popular *cough*pale *cough* sparkly fellow. He is a person who was on his way to serve mankind for the greater good before he got hexed. Now i know why bloggers use a specific term for him; DENBURYLYCIOUS

There are lovely parents or parental figures present through this whole book. Her father is a smart kind man and her to be happy and well educated. We see Madame North more of the time. She is one the 1st real friends Natalie has and a awesome source for help in the quest of defeating evil.

I had a little problem with the ‘’other one’’, ‘’the other self, the villain . It is sexualized and pure evil. A demon. I know it is evil but still I hoped for its motivation. That was not fully explained. I know it is just book one but I hope more will be revealed plus explained.

Darker Still is not perfect but still really great. Thanks Joy @joyousreads for the gift. You are da bomb. After reading the synopsis of book two there is more danger upon them and explaining things to society will be frikkin hard. I can’t wait and I hope I will win cash soon to pre order or order it.

The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart is out on November 1st. I MUST HAVE IT. Sighs. Are you looking for something new and fresh in Paranormal YA . This not another half-baked paranormal but they characters witness growth especially Natalie . I HOOOPE you give it a try

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songs that fits perfectly with this book and do generate a atmosphere



when Natalie sleeps  and has builds a connection

goes for natalie en denbury




the slaughters and fighting back

Review: Auracle by Gina Rosati

Auracle [add to Goodreads]
by Gina Rosati
Published by Roaring Brook Press
Date publication: August 7th 2012
Source: gifted
Rating: 4.25/5

AMAZON // BOOKDEPO

Synopsis:16 year old Anna Rogan has a secret she's only shared with her best friend, Rei; she can astrally project out of her body, allowing her spirit to explore the world and the far reaches of the universe.
When there's a fatal accident and her classmate Taylor takes over Anna's body, what was an exhilarating distraction from her repressive home life threatens to become a permanent state. Faced with a future trapped in another dimension, Anna turns to Rei for help. Now the two of them must find a way to get Anna back into her body and stop Taylor from accusing an innocent friend of murder. Together Anna and Rei form a plan but it doesn't take into account the deeper feelings that are beginning to grow between them

My thoughts

Cover :shimmer ,shimmer, blue shimmer . A icy-cold blue waterfall with in front a floating girl. High on the 2012 coverloves

Book:Paranormal YA has seen a big boom.Throughout the short time span books have popped up like mushrooms.Ideas that were new got recycled and used again and again with a basic formula.Resulting in stale cookie cutter bad boy infested ( the good ones not included) young adult books.This one is different. I see you are rolling your eyes.""Yeah right, different."".This is my response ""Yes it is"". Reason: astral projection.Let it sink it.You know the ability to extract your being out of your physical body.This book has it.A particular girl can do it.Anna.

The way Auracle is written is lovely and flows of the tongue.After some chapters Anna's voice structured for me.This book is not PNR but rather PNR+. This includes friendship,loyalty,family struggles,taking care of your actions and fixing stuff and doing whats right even without a body.
All that make it real and relatable. It is paranormal infused with somewhat crime, baked not burned with romance (you know the romantic goodstuff) and sprinkled with contemporary fiction elements. I also liked the Asian/cultural influence.Japanese to be correct. Philosophy, mediating and Rei but more about him later( Ya'll would love to know about him)

One minor complaint: Why was is not longer.I finally befriended them, got close and caring for the peeps in this book.BAM.THE END.I know if it was longer it could have resulted in dragging parts.I'm still happy in the end that this story was written and 80 to 85 % satisfied.

Anna is the girl I've mentioned before.She's witty and a girly.Wears not a lot make up or none.Energetic. Takes action after her body is stolen after the accident ( see synopsis) Being out of her body and trying to rescue , let say more than 2 people. The best is that sees that shes a cause in this and takes action (what a lot of PNR YA girls don't )

Harper is the ''mean'' girl.She popular, gets whats she wants and she did and caused the bigger .You are suppose to dislike but feel sorry for her. BRIGHT . silent moment ( huh?)

Rei.He's the boy next door.He's half Japanese (Whoot whoot, he is the 2nd love interest of color that i know of in 2012 paranormal releases). Some would say he is too perfect and some already said that.But he has flaws. He carries his loved one problems and sorrows on his soldier and is pretty hard on himself. I love how Anna shows him he does not need to.Hope you'll meet him soon. Ladies come closer. Closer. CLOSER. You will swoon.Hotness

The romance was lovely. Not insta lovey.But a gradual one.Anna 's situation brought them closer strengthens their relationship and eventually bloomed into love.

The plot was not difficult but trough Miss Rosati's writing made it tense, lovely and explosive trip.Plus the ability is explained very well. Very fictionally scientific. Sad to see this group of go but i ca't wait to read more by her.This lovely gem is out tomorrow.

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Review: Immortal City by Scott Speer

Immortal City (Immortal City #1)[add to Goodreads]
by Scott Speer
Published by Razorbill
Date publication: April 3rd 2012
Source: won
Rating: 4/5

AMAZON // BOOKDEPO

Synopsis:Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them.
He's days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone's obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect - everyone except for Madison Montgomery.
Maddy's the one girl in Angel City who doesn't breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn't recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.
Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson's scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi - and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels' wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat & and this time it's up to Maddy to save Jackson

My thoughts

Cover: Masculinity flows from the cover. A great pose and strong white/grey wings with cool scenery in the background

Book: Authors are people. People who pen down books.A lot of those are awesome books.Some writers become celebrity in the book world for ex J.K Rowling and Stephenie Meyer .Hollywood celebs are people. A couple of their books have appeared on bookshelves in stores.Some on YA shelves. A lot of readers treat celeb fiction like the plague. I agree some look like trash for example snooki's Jersey Shore fairy tale-esque book written by a ghostwriter. I'm honest to say that i'm weary and hesitant of the Kardashians' YA dystopian out next year.But ,there is a huge BUT people can write great to amazing books. No matter their background.This written down spark, idea, story is one of them.

the 1st time I heard of Im City it drew me in

1st reason: there is a male point of view
2nd : a murder mystery 
3th angels

Imagine a world were we idolize Angels.They don't star in movies or tv shows/ They protect us from harm for a prize.Only a select few are under there protection, the mega rich.And every one want a piece of that pie. There are lotteries for protection or shows that are a equivalent of survivor to secure an angel. LA , the HQ. This is Angel City.Jackson Godspeed , our main man is days away to take his place in the ranks of the prestigious Guardians.But horrible things happen. Torn bloody angel wings are deposited on the walk of fame stars of their owners.A murder is on the loose and trough circumstances he meets Maddy. One of the few people not obsessed with the glamour and glitz of the angels, maybe the only girl in Angel City.Will they find the murder before Jackson is next on the chopping block?

I loved how Scott Speer re-imagined LA.It was fun seeing everything angel-fied ranging from ANN(Angel News Network) to Angels Weekly.Very enjoyable after you get used to it. The use of 3th person in multiple (3) point of views was a great method to see a bigger picture at the very end.You get to see how all the pieces fell in to place but still some curiosities left open for the sequel.

Maddy and Jacks are from two different worlds and differ immensely but make each other stronger in the end. I loved how Maddy was herself and not in too the Angel craze but disliked that she had preconceived notions but changed trough out the novel.They are living breathing creatures with emotions. In all the fame and splendor that can make people change, Jacks is level headed,a normal teen ,kind and cares for her.They fell in love at the very end.Real conversations were repeatedly seen and no long stretches of staring at each other was in sight.

The the person that i suspected was complete utter bs when it was revealed who the murderer was. Very scary and bleak at that very moment.Intense,intense intense.

Immortal city had romance, action, suspense and had a detective feel to it. A lot more than your typical run of the mill paranormal/angel book. A lot of though went it too it and the book that surprised the most this year. I can't wait for march to read book two.

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The Weeping book tour: interview + review

This is my day on the book tour . I'm so exited for my stop on it

Link  to the schedule 

First the interview and then the review

About this author

O'Dell Hutchison was born in a small rural town in Idaho. After attending college in the Pacific northwest, he found his way to the Houston area in 1997. He currently lives in Katy, TX with his dog, Gia. By day, he is a Business Systems Analyst. In his free time, he tries (and fails) to work out regularly and eat healthy. He also acts and directs at various theaters around Houston.
You can visir him at his website http://otothedell.com/ or stalk her on twitter @otothedell

Now for the intrview

What inspired you to write The Weeping?

I spend a lot of time working at a local theatre here in Houston, and I am thoroughly convinced there is a ghost there. Many people have seen a man standing on the catwalk during rehearsals or performances, and I have experienced lights and other electronic equipment turning off and on by itself. My good friend, and stage manager, Susie and I went so far as to go ghost hunting on a few occasions using the Ghost Radar app on my iPhone. On more than one occasion the ghost told us his name is Frank. After one particularly intense night of ghost hunting (a chair rocking by itself, lights turning on and off and a piano playing) I had more than enough material for a book.

Who is the artist[s], fanboying here! Lol

Travis Pennington did the cover art. Isn’t it great? He perfectly captured so much of the book.

What was your favorite scene[s] to write in The Weeping

Some of my favorite scenes ended up not making it into the book. The book went in so many different directions while I was writing it, so when I revised it, a lot of it got cut. I think one of my favorite scenes that is still in the book is when Heath sees Molly on the beach and she morphs into Catherine. It came out of nowhere and it really freaked me out. Another favorite was the final showdown. I rewrote that scene dozens of times, getting it just right.

What got you in to reading and at what age , what sort of books did you like reading as a child?

I was reading before I went to kindergarten. I’ve always loved books. As a kid, I especially liked anything by Beverly Cleary, Roald Dahl and Judy Blume. I also read a lot of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books.

Do you have a set routine when you are writing? Are you a plotter or just write what the characters feel like to saying? [to me all characters are like real people]

When I wrote The Weeping I started with a basic idea and just went with it. I rewrote it three times until I was happy with it. In earlier versions, Catherine was Molly, and I ended up hating it. In another version Catherine was driving Heath to kill all these people, and I didn’t like that version either. It was too much of a downer, and way too psycho. I finally sat down and plotted it all out, and changed quite a bit of the story. I was much happier with the finished product. I am currently working on another book and I have plotted out key scenes to keep myself on track, but a majority of it is just my characters taking me on their journey.

Have you any other books in the making at the moment?
Yes, I’m currently working on another novel, which was initially meant to be a standalone book, but about halfway through I realized I had way too much material, so it will more than likely be a two or three book series. This one is another paranormal thriller, but told from a girl’s point of view, and it’s especially creepy. Stay tuned!

Any song[s] that fit perfectly with the weeping scenes /characters or the book itself?
I had quite a few songs that I came across while writing that really seemed to fit the tone of the book. Some of them are “Haunted” by Poe, “Hysteria” by Muse, “Forever” by Firelight and “It’s all Over but the Crying” by Garbage. I have an entire playlist which will be revealed later on in the tour. :)

Why should we read the weeping?

Good question. I think if you are a fan of ghost stories with a few scares and an interesting twist, you should definitely check it out. In my opinion, the book is moderately creepy, though I had a few people read it who aren’t into creepy books at all and they said it really scared them. I also had friends who read it that said it didn’t scare them at all, but they did like the mystery aspect. I guess I’ll let you decide.

This or that segment

Vanilla or chocolate

Definitely chocolate

summer or winter:

I live in Texas. I despise summer. Winter all the way.

Xmas or Halloween:

I love both. The weeks between Halloween and New Years makes me so happy. I think I would have to go with Halloween, simply because it marks the beginning of the Holiday season.

Vampires, faeries or zombies

I hate faeries. (Now that I say that I’ll probably be pummeled by an army of fae in my sleep.) I just don’t see the point of faeries, so it would have to be between vampires and zombies. Zombies scare the ever-living crap out of me. Like, serious stomach-dropping, pee in my pants fear. I used to want to be a vampire. I’d just need to get over that whole drinking blood thing.

Thanks for having me!

The review

The Weeping
by O'Dell Hutchison

Published by  H, C & B Publishing

Date Publication:  March 6th 2012

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: Twenty years ago, Catherine Whitley was the victim of a horrible crime. Betrayed by her friends, including the boy she loved, she was left to die when the Rock Harbor Opera House caught fire, taking a disturbing secret with her to her grave. 
Seventeen-year-old Heath Ingram was driving the night his Jeep careened off the road, killing three of his closest friends. Once a popular, outgoing athlete, Heath now suffers from severe depression and crippling anxiety. His parents decide to send him to stay with his uncle in Rock Harbor, Oregon for the summer, praying that by getting away he will be able to put this awful tragedy behind him. 
When Heath starts working at the newly renovated Rock Harbor Opera House, he meets Molly, a young dancer who awakens in him a desire to start over and move on. But, when he begins having visions of a half-burned girl in a white dress, he starts to think he may be slipping even further over the edge. 
As the apparent hauntings become more intense, Heath begins to fear for his safety. With the help of his friend Josie, Heath discovers an unsettling secret that ties the mysterious girl to both their families. When two of their friends die unexpectedly, Josie and Heath realize that something, or someone, is after the children of those who wronged Catherine, and they are next

My thoughts:


Cover: LOVE the red hue and life line on the bottom and eeriness of the cover. I imagined the main characters how it's pictured.

Book:  When I saw the sign up. The cover immediately drew me in.I thought to my self"I have to read it and glad i did.

The prologue was rocking and intense. RAD.The writing was easy to follow and loved reading further and further till i finished . ^-^

I immediately loved Heath [hot/lol pun/ being heath is always next to hot lol/Love male protaganist. The male Pov, maybe cause i'm a dude and sometimes girls whiny voices annoy me. He felt like a real teen

I liked marry very much.Liked her character. Her being.[trying to be philosophical again. HUGE FAIL lol] To me characters are people, creatures most of the time 


The ending was great. A perfect ending for a good book. Sometimes the pacing was meh at moments. But i still liked it. If you love mysteries, thrillers maybe a bit spooky even. Give it a try






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Review: Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

Article 5 (Article 5 #1)
by Kristen Simmons
Published by Tor Teen

Date Publication : January 31st 2012 

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned.
The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes.
There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back.
Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different.
Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. 
That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

My thoughts

Cover:One of my Love at First sightcovers.Crumbled socity and it's perfectly pictured. A teenage girl and a boy on a hill and what looks like a wartorn Chicago is in sight down below.

Book:The cover drew[but you all know that right now ^-^]since i saw it last year early august.I was pinning to read was so happy to see there were arc giveaways but 99% of those only USA allowed so i took matters into my own hands and emailed a review request to Tor publishing and fingers crossed of course. So happy they aproved[ a e-arc is still an arc]It was worth the trouble[ asking and wishing]

Wartorn America. Everything changed.Crumbled cities, broken down houses and broken lives. The bill of rights are condemned and the moral statues are declared.Say adieu to freewill.

With the SOPA/PIPA and now ACtA ; controlling the new for 'our own good'.Article 5 seems very real and could happen in the near future.No nature disasters but a war caused the fall, the doctrine. Realistically scary is the world building.The writing was so so aaah.I imagined every scene clearly.

Ember a 17 year old [i so love that name] in violation of article 5 is taken[imprisoned] and brought to a rehabilitation center. Scared as heck but grew immensely within her being scared she became fiery and would do everything in her being to escape , survive.

Chase a broken down soldier.The one who imprisoned her under direct orders.I would jump into this tale to just to say 'Everything is stark and dark right now but things will be OK , don't know when but it's gonna be OK, there's a silver lining out there'.

There love is what i call true love no matter how rocky and bumpy it was believe you me , it was.And not a wishy-washy YA insta-love.Discovering secrets that can hurt both. Her trying to trust and love him all over again.

I highly recommend Article 5.A dystopia what could be real in not so far future. A good thing today is Article 5's book birthday[ trows internet confetti]Hope you all check it out

thanks to Tor teen for approving my request

 songs that fits perfectly with this book and do generate a atmosphere.

ember and chase

chase

ember




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Review: Pure by Julianna Baggott

Pure (Pure #1)
by Julianna BaggottPublished by Grand Central Publishing
Date Publication  February 8th 2012

Rating: 4/5

Synopsis: We know you are here, our brothers and sisters . . . Pressia barely remembers the Detonations or much about life during the Before. In her sleeping cabinet behind the rubble of an old barbershop where she lives with her grandfather, she thinks about what is lost-how the world went from amusement parks, movie theaters, birthday parties, fathers and mothers . . . to ash and dust, scars, permanent burns, and fused, damaged bodies. And now, at an age when everyone is required to turn themselves over to the militia to either be trained as a soldier or, if they are too damaged and weak, to be used as live targets, Pressia can no longer pretend to be small. Pressia is on the run.Burn a Pure and Breathe the Ash . . .
There are those who escaped the apocalypse unmarked. Pures. They are tucked safely inside the Dome that protects their healthy, superior bodies. Yet Partridge, whose father is one of the most influential men in the Dome, feels isolated and lonely. Different. He thinks about loss-maybe just because his family is broken; his father is emotionally distant; his brother killed himself; and his mother never made it inside their shelter. Or maybe it's his claustrophobia: his feeling that this Dome has become a swaddling of intensely rigid order. So when a slipped phrase suggests his mother might still be alive, Partridge risks his life to leave the Dome to find her.
When Pressia meets Partridge, their worlds shatter all over again.

my thoughts

Cover:One of the pretties out there.Thank goodness no girl in dress one.A bit symbolic if you ask me.A dainty fragile life[the butterfly] above a rough bizarre ruthless dangerous earth has become.

Book: I requested This one because of its cover[I the color scheme.]It was good but not a complete hit for me.

A normal day, normal life, normal earth.But than it happened, The Detonations and everything changed.A perilous blistered earth emerged.Pressia found safety in the Dome but not many were that lucky.Things merged,fused,humanity has altered.If you can call it human.Partrige resides there , out side and one of them.There meeting, a pure and a wretch will change everything.

In my opinion Pure is not a YA but more of a Crossover like the night circusby Erin Morgenstern.The writing style was earthy[if that makes sens]The story is told in two main pov's. partridge and pressia.

The world building was bizarre, strange, gruesome, wild, weird and vivid One of the main reasons i kept reading.Imagine a picture when reading these words; meltlands, rubble fields.Pure is more post apocalyptic than dystopian.Liked that the before was still known to have existed but steadily fading away and forgotten.

the deathy houses all fell down
the deathy houses all fell down
the sick souls wander'round and 'round
watch out! they drag you underground.

Did not feel attached to the main characters although i got pretty darn close.But still looking forward to the sequel

If you 're into post apocalyptic and exotic wold building give it a try.Maybe the characters will "speak' to you.

Thanks to netgalley and to y Grand Central Publishing approving request

The trailer


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Not An Angel book tour: review

This is one of the  stops of this booktour. Not an Angel was really charmingly sweet and romantic

First to introduce the author. Here is the book tour schedule 

Not An Angel (A Poryria Vampire Novel (Book 1))
by Dawn Chartier
Published by  Bayou Black Publishing
Date Published September 11th 2011
Rating: 4/5

 Synopsis: Kira McCoy wants to die. Losing her husband and daughter tragically left her without hope. Now her disturbed brother-in-law will stop at nothing to have her for himself. All she wants is to find peace, but instead finds herself on top of a bridge ready to end her suffering.
Protector of the Poryria, Trace Stuart is called to defend his race or embrace death. Defending humans is not part of the plan, but he cannot stop himself from saving Kira.
Realizing that he shares a special bond with Kira, Trace defies his Queen and rushes into the heart of darkness in order to rescue the woman he loves. Will Kira be able to reach past her own pain to pull them both into the light?

My thoughts

Cover: It's a Ok-ish cover. It screams 'FIERCE'. Somewhat how i imagined Trace.

Book:When i saw tour stops were needed i immediately replied "I'm in" or something in that context.Glad i got the chance to read it.

Kira,a broken woman a broken life, standing and jumping of a bridge.Thinking "Let me die". She's rescued by a mysterious being.Awoken at the hospital! How? A strangly wonderful man appears in dreams, in her life.

I have to say this 80% and up{guessing here] charming and sweet romance however it's a Mature read and not recommend to younger readers. Some scenes tho limited are steamy ahem ahem scenes.

Kira, a previous mother can handle herself and does not let people in after what happened.

Trace, a raven-black haired[^_^] male specimen and lost someone or more as well.Does not after what happened until he meets her. LOVed that he was protective and caring towards his loved ones. NOT effeminate at all. catch my drift

Both leading roles, Kira and Trace have painful pasts and lost love ones.They found strength in each other. huge thumbs up (^-^)b I liked that Kira and Trace grew and fell in love.

The romance was lovable and sweet and the "doing" it scenes were interesting Haha

Other characters

Mikal, Mike for short was a great brother, Trance's younger brother. A srong family bond.

The "villain"?! was interesting hoping to see more of him.

The ending was sweet and round up pretty well. It could perfectly well be a standalone. Glad it isn't. I did not have high expectations going into this but glad i did. Hoping to read more soon. I highly recommend it and it's not that pricey at all.

all the smiles are from freesmileys.org

This was an 100% honest review

 a song that fits perfectly with this book and does generate a atmosphere.

Fits perfectly with Kira and Trace



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